Branches – Silent Night

Last year UNESCO declared the traditional carol ‘Silent Night’ an ‘intangible cultural heritage’. Coming as it did a year after L.A. band Branches decided to cover the classic one could easily put two and two together. In truth that’s probably overstepping credibility but there have not been many finer versions of the Austrian composition than this. Branches gift is their ability to hardly alter the slowly moving parts yet ‘Silent Night’ still feels infused with a new lease of life. Natalie Nicoles is suitably angelic and the music makes its presence felt while assuming its rightful role as background scenery. Sometime for 23:59 in a couple of days time. KD